Cox comes to Albany for Project ExPreSS

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Students get some insight into some tricky questions they will see when they re-take their high school graduation tests later this week.

"These kids are so close. They have their credits. They've past their classes and fell a little short," said state superintendent, Kathy Cox.

And that is why they are here at Project ExPreSS. The program aims to improve high school graduation rates by re-testing seniors who couldn't receive their diplomas because of those test scores.

"We believe that giving it to them in a compact way is going to open it up to them even more," said Monroe Comprehensive High Principal, Deloris Spears.

They spend four hours a day going over specific areas from the questions they missed when they took the test the first time.

"With just a small amount of time and effort in the summer, and an immediate re-test than we can see success," said Cox.

This summer these seniors are going over Social Studies and Science. "They're still the areas where kids will possibly pass all the others and just barely miss it in one of those areas," said Cox.

And though only 167 students are enrolled, administrators believe the entire community benefits from the program.

"It opens the doors for the community. I see more jobs. I see the vision of the city connecting with schools with more people passing tests. Industry will be interested in coming when we have a higher percentage of students passing," said Spears.

And hopefully 167 more seniors will receive their diplomas because of Project ExPreSS. Those high school seniors will re-take the Georgia High School Graduation Test Friday.